A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for operating an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes receiving, e.g., via a controller through a wireless communications device from a GPS satellite service, location data of a user. The controller also receives, e.g., from a backend server-class computer or other remote computing node, location data for a target object or site, such as a virtual shoe hidden at a virtual spot. The controller retrieves or predicts path plan data including a derived route for traversing from the user's location to the target's location within a geographic area. The controller then transmits command signals to a navigation alert system mounted to the IES's shoe structure to output visual, audio, and/or tactile cues that guide the user along the derived route.

Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for operating an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) includes receiving, e.g., via a controller through a wireless communications device from a GPS satellite service, location data of a user. The controller also receives, e.g., from a backend server-class computer or other remote computing node, location data for a target object or site, such as a virtual shoe hidden at a virtual spot. The controller retrieves or predicts path plan data including a derived route for traversing from the user's location to the target's location within a geographic area. The controller then transmits command signals to a navigation alert system mounted to the IES's shoe structure to output visual, audio, and/or tactile cues that guide the user along the derived route.

A pressure sensing insole according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first electrode layer including a first conductive region; a first adhesive layer disposed on the first electrode layer and including an insulating region; an intermediate layer disposed on the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer disposed on the intermediate layer and including an insulating region; and a second electrode layer disposed on the second adhesive layer and including a second conductive region.

A pressure sensing insole according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first electrode layer including a first conductive region; a first adhesive layer disposed on the first electrode layer and including an insulating region; an intermediate layer disposed on the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer disposed on the intermediate layer and including an insulating region; and a second electrode layer disposed on the second adhesive layer and including a second conductive region.

Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing various athletic movements and generating performance characteristics based on the data corresponding to such athletic movements. Users may also be encouraged to participate in athletic challenges or competitions against other users or groups of users. In addition, athletic movement data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.

Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing various athletic movements and generating performance characteristics based on the data corresponding to such athletic movements. Users may also be encouraged to participate in athletic challenges or competitions against other users or groups of users. In addition, athletic movement data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.

Methods of enhancing a sensory experience to simulate a live event are provided. One includes providing an audible signal representing sound information; generating a vibration signal based on the audible signal and enhanced information that would be present at the live event; and providing the vibration signal to at least one vibration device for stimulating nerve receptors in a foot area, the vibration signal synchronized with the audible signal to produce a perception in the brain of being present at the live event. Another method includes generating a vibration signal representing vibrations including tactile vibrations for stimulating nerve receptors in a foot to simulate being present at a live event, and vibrations based on reproduced sound information; and providing the signal to at least one vibration device for delivering the vibrations to the feet, the tactile vibrations based on enhanced information different from the sound information and including non-audible elements.

Apparatus and methods to monitor changes in user weight. The apparatus includes at least one sensor configured to capture superquotidien measurements of the user's weight and an accelerometer to measure movements of the user, and estimates cumulative weight of the user based on the superquotidien measurements, wherein only sudden changes in the user's weight are used in the estimation. The sensor(s) can be located, e.g., within a shoe insole, within a chair, within a floor, etc.